Combines 2 words at 16 to 24 months (There is a range of ages at which children are first able to combine words into sentences. Talk to your child's health care provider if the toddler cannot make sentences by 24 months.)

Knows gender and age by 36 months

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Indicates some needs by pointing at 12 - 15 months

Looks for help when in trouble by 18 months

Helps to undress and put things away by 18 - 24 months

Listens to stories when shown pictures and can tell about recent experiences by 24 months

Can take part in pretend play and simple games by 24 - 36 months

BEHAVIOR

Toddlers are always trying to be more independent. This creates safety concerns as well as discipline challenges. The child must be consistently taught the limits of appropriate vs. inappropriate behavior.

When toddlers try out activities they haven't yet mastered, they can get frustrated and angry. Breath-holding, crying, screaming, and temper tantrums may often occur.

It is important for a child at this stage to:

Learn from experiences

Rely on boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors

SAFETY

Toddler safety is very important.

Parents need to be aware that the child can now walk, run, climb, jump, and explore. This new stage of movement makes child-proofing the home very important. Window guards, gates on stairways, cabinet locks, toilet seat locks, electric outlet covers, and other safety features are needed to keep the child safe.

Put the toddler in a safety restraint (toddler car seat) when riding in a car.

Do not leave a toddler unattended for even short periods of time. Remember, more accidents occur during the toddler years than at any other stage of childhood.

Make clear rules about not playing in streets or crossing without an adult.

Falls are a major cause of injury. Keep gates or doors to stairways closed, and use guards for all windows above the ground floor. Do not leave chairs or ladders in areas that are likely to tempt the toddler into climbing up to explore new heights. Use corner guards on furniture in areas where the toddler is likely to walk, play, or run.

Poisoning is a common cause of toddler illness and death. Keep all medicines in a locked cabinet. Keep all toxic household products (polishes, acids, cleaning solutions, chlorine bleach, lighter fluid, insecticides, or poisons) in a locked cabinet or closet. Many household and garden plants, such as toad stools, may cause serious illness or death if eaten. Ask your child's health care provider for a list of common poisonous plants.

If someone in the household owns a firearm, make sure it is unloaded and locked in a secure place.

Keep toddlers away from the kitchen with a safety gate, or place them in a playpen or high chair. This will eliminate the danger of burns from pulling hot foods off the stove or bumping into the hot oven door.

Do not let toddlers play in water alone. A toddler may drown, even in shallow water in a bathtub. Parent-child swimming lessons can be another safe and enjoyable way for toddlers to play in water. Never leave a child unattended near a pool, open toilet, or bathtub. Toddlers cannot learn how to swim and cannot be independent near any body of water.

PARENTING TIPS

The toddler years are for children to learn accepted rules of behavior. It is important for parents to be consistent both in modeling behavior (behaving the way you want your child to behave), and in pointing out inappropriate behavior in the child. Recognize and reward positive behavior. You can introduce time-outs for negative behavior, or for going beyond the limits you set for your child.

The toddler's favorite word may seem to be "NO!!!" It is important for parents not to fall into a pattern of negative behavior using yelling, spanking, and threats.

Teach children the proper names of body parts.

Stress the unique, individual qualities of the child.

Teach the concepts of please, thank you, and sharing with others.

Read to the child regularly. This will help develop verbal skills.

Toddlers thrive on regularity. Major changes in their routine are hard for them. Toddlers should have regular nap, bed, snack, and meal times.

Toddlers should not be allowed to eat many snacks throughout the day. Too many snacks can take away the desire to eat regular meals, which tend to offer more balanced nutrition.

Traveling with a toddler or having guests at the house can disrupt the child’s routine. This may make the child more irritable. In these situations, reassure the child and try to get back to a routine in a calm way.

References

Updated: 2/26/2014

Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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